A/N: I'm really sorry it took so long, but my final year in high school was just too hectic, and even though I have finals now, I promise to find some time to update. This chapter is set during "Spit & Eggs", but goes kinda AU, since nothing like that happened in the show.
Disclaimer: Nothing really changed since the previous chapter, I still don't own "Veronica Mars". Oh, and in case you were wondering, I didn't get dick for Christmas, well, there is still my Birthday in a little over a month, a girl can dream, can't she ;).
I still don't have a beta, so mistakes are all mine.
Ok, so coming to this party was the worst idea ever, but who could say no to a pleading Veronica, somehow she doubted it was even possible, her friend was good at persuading. But now she was standing in the room full of drunk frat boys, not knowing anyone around, except for Piz, not knowing about what was happening, and where everyone went.
- Have you seen Veronica? – she had to find her blond friend, to make sure that everything was alright, somehow she had a bad feeling, she hadn't seen her in awhile, and in Veronica's case it most probably meant she got herself in trouble.
- Not in a while. – Piz was lost in his thoughts, more interested in a party, than in something Mac was asking.
How can he be so calm in a situation like this?! It seemed as if he forgotten that they were here to help veronica catch a serial rapist, not to enjoy the party. A boy was cute with his puppy dog eyes and a huge crush on Veronica, but he was too nice for this town, known to corrupt people. He didn't know where he signed himself into, when he came to Neptune, it was no Beaverton, or whatever little town he came from. Sometimes she envied that he was able to stay this naïve after spending so much time here, but mostly it was irritating. If he doesn't grow up soon, the town will eat him alive.
- I better go find her. – Mac turned to leave, not waiting for Piz to answer.
Going through a crowd of people, not seeing any familiar face, she was starting to panic. Something bad was going to happen, knowing her friend she could easily go after the rapist on her own, Mac just hoped Wallace was there not letting her do something extremely stupid.
She was brought from her thoughts by two hands, that suddenly wrapped around her waist.
- Bonny, babe, where have you been? I've been missing you. – A familiar voice came from behind her back.
Mac quickly turned around, releasing herself from a tight embrace.
- Ghostworld?! You are not Bonny. – A blond surfer was staring at her in surprise.
- Wow, college really did you good, you are getting smarter by the minute.- Mac couldn't help but to be sarcastic.
- And you are still one bitchy little Ghostworld. Guess STD can do that to people. – Dick said pointing at her T-shirt.
Mac sighed. Dick Casablancas wasn't someone she had strength to deal tonight.
- Have you seen Veronica? – But she could use him for information.
- I saw Ronnie with Logan before. One word – awkward.
- And where is Logan? – Somehow, knowing that Logan was around to help, calmed her. They might not be the best couple, but he would kill for her, and vice versa.
- Last I saw him he was leaving with that Wolly-kid, that is always around Veronica. So what, Mackie, you got abandoned by your friends, huh? – Dick smirked, changing the subject.
- I really don't have time for it. – Mac rolled her eyes and was ready to leave, but Dick took her arm, stopping her.
- Hold on, Ghostworld, you seem like super freaked out. What's going on?
- And why do you care? – Dick Casablancas caring about other people - that's a first.
- Well, hello, it's my fraternity, so I'm like a host here. Plus, Logan will totally kick my ass if something happens to his precious Ronica. – Dick said seriously.
- Fine. – Mac just wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. – Long story short, I think Veronica might have gone after the Hearst rapist alone, so I have to find her as soon as possible.
- Oh. Ok, let's go. – Dick took her hand, and started to move towards the exit.
- Wait a second. Where do you think you are going? – Mac was surprised by the turn of events.
- To help you find Ronnie. Duh, didn't you hear the part about getting my ass kicked by Logan. You should really pay attention when someone is speaking. – At that moment Mac understood that she was stuck with Dick Casablancas.
Even though she was against him tagging along, Mac soon realized, that he too can be helpful. It didn't take Dick more than two minutes to find out from a guy sitting at a door, in what direction did Veronica go, and now they were headed towards the dorms, hoping to find some kind of clue there, where could Veronica go.
- So, Ghostworld, how you've been? Haven't seen you for a long time, it is if you are avoiding me. – Dick was the first to break the silence.
- Maybe I wouldn't, if you weren't acting like a jerk every time I'm around. – Mac was still bitter after their last encounter, her first night at Hearst.
- Bitchy much?! – Dick smirked.
- Jackass much?! – Mac really didn't want to have this conversation right now.
- You are still bitter about that night after orientation. I was drunk, you know I didn't mean those things I said, that time was hard for me. – Dick shrugged.
- And you think I was just peachy?. – Mac was starting to get angry. – Plus, since when is drinking an ultimate excu… - she wasn't able to finish the sentence, as Dick's hand was now covering her mouth.
- Shh… Do you hear it? It's like a whistle.
Mac was trying to listen carefully, but the only thing she could concentrate on was Dick's scent. He smelled like oranges and sea water, there was just something special about that scent that made her tremble inside, something that Dick Casablancas scent shouldn't do to one Cindy Mackenzie.
- Come on. It's coming from this way.
Dick once again grabbed her hand, and they hurried towards one of the buildings. They were just about to enter, when some guy ran past them.
- Hey, Mercer, dude. What's going on? – Dick asked.
- Go inside. I'm going to get help. – You could tell he was in a hurry. There was something suspicious about this guy. Dick was going to ask him something else, but Mac, not wanting to waste any more time, was already dragging him inside, knowing that something bad must have happened, and it most probably involved Veronica.
The rest of the night was like a blur for her. She remembers Veronica lying on the floor unconscious, ambulance taking her away, police coming, realization that it was actually that guy Mercer and, that they could have stopped him, if only Mac wouldn't drag Dick inside so fast. And the only thing that kept Mac saint was Dick, never letting go of her hand. Seeing him nearby, feeling his support, she felt grateful and started to understand, that there was more in Dick that meets the eyes, and that after this night their relationship were bound to change.